Common use of BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Clause in Contracts

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE. The White River Partnership (WRP) consists of a collection of private and public entities working together to develop and implement a comprehensive approach toward the conservation of a healthy riparian ecosystem for the White River and tributaries in both Colorado and Utah. In 2016, the WRP (the Partnership) held its first official stakeholder meeting to initiate increased communication and information sharing between local and regional entities already working on natural resource related issues along the White River in Utah and Colorado. At this meeting, an informal survey was conducted to better assess the needs of attendees to help conduct their work more effectively, and the level of interest among attendees in developing a formal partnership to further facilitate the sharing of resources and information. Attendees agreed that formalizing the Partnership would be advantageous to all and that could be achieved by formalizing the Partnership in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document codifies the formation of a partnership to address riparian resource challenges: The White River Partnership. In Utah, lands directly adjacent to the White River are predominantly federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Tribal lands also comprise a significant portion of land ownership in Utah along the White River. There are some state trust lands managed by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (XXXXX), and some small pockets of privately-owned lands. The whole of the White River in Utah is contained in Uintah County. In Colorado, lands adjacent to the White River are predominantly privately owned, with small pockets of BLM lands. The Towns of Rangely and Meeker also own a small portion of land along the White River, and some lands are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. While most of the White River watershed in Colorado is in Rio Xxxxxx County, a small portion of the headwaters occur in Garfield County. Riparian ecological health affects substantial portions of the landscape, both natural and developed resources. Of primary concern along the White River corridor are the significant infestations of the woody invasive species Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and to a lesser extent tamarisk (Tamarisk spp.) because of their negative impacts on plant and wildlife diversity, wildlife and stream habitats, wildland fire fuels accumulation and hazard, and recreational and cultural use of the river. Significant infestations of secondary, non-woody invasive species in the understory such as Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) are of concern for similar reasons. All three of these aggressive invaders are listed on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed List. Tamarisk and Russian knapweed are listed on the State of Utah Noxious Weed List, and all three noxious weed species are required to be controlled by law in Uintah County, Utah. MOU signatories agree that controlling these woody invasive species, and restoring native vegetation communities on White River riparian lands is of utmost importance. A primary goal of this Partnership is to work to control these invasive plant species (and other invasive species of concern) along stretches of the White River corridor most significantly impacted by them, and, through passive and active revegetation and other improvements, improve riparian ecological health for cultural, economic, environmental, and social benefit. Secondary goals include related conservation objectives such as improved habitat for special status (listed) fish, birds, and other species as well as other non-listed species. The Partnership operates on the following principles:

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE. The White River Partnership (WRP) consists of a collection of private and public entities working together to develop and implement a comprehensive approach toward the conservation of a healthy riparian ecosystem for the White River and tributaries in both Colorado and Utah. In 2016, the WRP (the Partnership) held its first official stakeholder meeting to initiate increased communication and information sharing between local and regional entities already working on natural resource related issues along the White River in Utah and Colorado. At this meeting, an informal survey was conducted to better assess the needs of attendees to help conduct their work more effectively, and the level of interest among attendees in developing a formal partnership to further facilitate the sharing of resources and information. Attendees agreed that formalizing the Partnership would be advantageous to all and that could be achieved by formalizing the Partnership in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document codifies the formation of a partnership to address riparian resource challenges: The White River Partnership. In Utah, lands directly adjacent to the White River are predominantly federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Tribal lands also comprise a significant portion of land ownership in Utah along the White River. There are some state trust lands managed by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (XXXXXSITLA), and some small pockets of privately-owned lands. The whole of the White River in Utah is contained in Uintah County. In Colorado, lands adjacent to the White River are predominantly privately owned, with small pockets of BLM lands. The Towns of Rangely and Meeker also own a small portion of land along the White River, and some lands are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. While most of the White River watershed in Colorado is in Rio Xxxxxx Blanco County, a small portion of the headwaters occur in Garfield County. Riparian ecological health affects substantial portions of the landscape, both natural and developed resources. Of primary concern along the White River corridor are the significant infestations of the woody invasive species Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and to a lesser extent tamarisk (Tamarisk spp.) because of their negative impacts on plant and wildlife diversity, wildlife and stream habitats, wildland fire fuels accumulation and hazard, and recreational and cultural use of the river. Significant infestations of secondary, non-woody invasive species in the understory such as Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) are of concern for similar reasons. All three of these aggressive invaders are listed on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed List. Tamarisk and Russian knapweed are listed on the State of Utah Noxious Weed List, and all three noxious weed species are required to be controlled by law in Uintah County, Utah. MOU signatories agree that controlling these woody invasive species, and restoring native vegetation communities on White River riparian lands is of utmost importance. A primary goal of this Partnership is to work to control these invasive plant species (and other invasive species of concern) along stretches of the White River corridor most significantly impacted by them, and, through passive and active revegetation and other improvements, improve riparian ecological health for cultural, economic, environmental, and social benefit. Secondary goals include related conservation objectives such as improved habitat for special status (listed) fish, birds, and other species as well as other non-listed species. The Partnership operates on the following principles:

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE. The White River Partnership (WRP) consists of a collection of private and public entities working together to develop and implement a comprehensive approach toward the conservation of a healthy riparian ecosystem for the White River and tributaries in both Colorado and Utah. In 2016, the WRP (the Partnership) held its first official stakeholder public meeting to initiate increased communication and information sharing between local and regional entities already working on natural resource related issues along the White River in Utah and Colorado. At this meeting, an informal survey was conducted to better assess the needs of attendees to help conduct their work more effectively, and the level of interest among attendees in developing a formal partnership to further facilitate the sharing of resources and information. Attendees agreed that formalizing the Partnership would be advantageous to all and that could be achieved by formalizing codifying the Partnership in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document codifies the formation of a partnership to address riparian resource challenges: The White River Partnership. In Utah, lands directly adjacent to the White River are predominantly federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Tribal lands also comprise a significant portion of land ownership in Utah along the White River. There are some state trust lands managed by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (XXXXX), and some small pockets of privately-owned lands. The whole of the White River in Utah is contained in Uintah County. In Colorado, lands adjacent to the White River are predominantly privately owned, with small pockets of BLM lands. The Towns of Rangely and Meeker also own a small portion of land along the White River, and some lands are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. While most of the White River watershed in Colorado is in Rio Xxxxxx County, a small portion of the headwaters occur in Garfield County. Riparian ecological health affects substantial portions of the landscape, both natural and developed resources. Of primary concern along the White River corridor are the significant infestations of the woody invasive species Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and to a lesser extent tamarisk (Tamarisk spp.) because of their negative impacts on plant and wildlife diversity, wildlife and stream habitats, wildland fire fuels accumulation and hazard, and recreational and cultural use of the river. Significant infestations of secondary, non-woody invasive species in the understory such as Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) are of concern for similar reasons. All three of these aggressive invaders are listed on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed List. Tamarisk and Russian knapweed are listed on the State of Utah Noxious Weed List, and all three noxious weed species are required to be controlled by law in Uintah County, Utah. MOU signatories agree that controlling these woody invasive species, and restoring native vegetation communities on White River riparian lands is of utmost importance. A primary goal of this Partnership is to work to control these invasive plant species (and other invasive species of concern) along stretches of the White River corridor most significantly impacted by them, and, through passive and active revegetation and other improvements, improve riparian ecological health for cultural, economic, environmental, and social benefit. Secondary goals include related conservation objectives such as improved habitat for special status (listed) fish, birds, and other species as well as other non-listed species. The Partnership operates on the following principles: